The passing of multiple California ballot measures to benefit education is a huge victory for our students. See how these ballots will benefit our schools.

Proposition: 51 Passed!

With 54.0% of voters in favor, schools will now receive state bonds for the construction of facilities along with any updates facilities may need. Students, educators and staff may continue allocating funds towards education. Nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s office states:

“State funding to help finance repairs and new school facilities across California had run dry, and Proposition 51 will refill the pot. School construction needs billions of dollars every year. With the new cash infusion, the state will once again match local district funding for construction projects.”

Prop 51 provides resources for the construction and repairs needed for a modern classroom environment for students and educators without disrupting the quality of education. After all, how are students expected to learn in outdated, even deteriorating, environments?

Proposition 55: Passed!

The proposition passed with 62.5% of voters in favor of the ballot. This means that school districts and colleges will receive stable funding to boost education. Any schools will now have further funding to continue programs or to bring back any programs lost due to lack of funds.

The proposition, as stated in a previous post, will extend for another 12 years the personal income tax increase on incomes over $250,000 that was initially proposed in 2012. What this means is that the tax is maintained, and that no one’s taxes are being raised as a result of this ballot.

In an recent LA times article, president of the Burbank Teachers Union Diana Abasta states:

“The passing of Proposition 55 means 12 years of stable funding for our schools and colleges. It means smaller classes, the hiring of additional teachers and restoring art and music in the curriculum. For community colleges, it means stable tuition rates and the availability of more classes.”

Prop 55 is important for students to receive the best quality education possible by preventing further budget cuts, helping restore funding that was cut during the recession, and giving teachers job stability.

Proposition 58: Passed!

An overwhelming 72.7% of voters were in favor of Proposition 58. The passing of the bilingual education measure means that English learners will no longer be taught in an English-only classroom. It repeals the 1998 Prop 227 that required an English-only instruction to English learners. This proposition also means that educators will not need permission from parents to enroll their child in bilingual education programs.

“California will once again be the leader in promoting multilingual and biliteracy programs for all students.”

Bilingual education will now be tailored to fit the programs needs. Students will benefit from the proposition and ultimately eliminate the struggle of complete immersion of the English language, the initial proposition imposed. Multilingual (and multicultural!) skills can only be positive for a more diverse future.

It has been 2 days since the election and our students, along with most of America, don’t know how to process the outcome.

The biggest thing for us is: How do we explain this to our students? How do we answer their questions when we ourselves don’t have any answers?

Luckily, we are not alone.

The Huffington Post offers this sage advice: “Tell them, first, that we will protect them. Tell them that we have democratic processes in the U.S. that make it impossible for one mean person to do too much damage. Tell them that we will protect those democratic processes ― and we will use them ― so that Trump is unable to act on many of the false promises he made during his campaign.”

We inform them that a diverse community is what America was founded on. We encourage them to include all people no matter their sexuality, gender, race/ethnicity, or economic stature.
We tell them that hatred and hateful comments will not be tolerated. We tell them that they are loved and should not let fear keep them from reaching their goals.

We don’t know what the future holds but we know that we can help shape it, and that starts with our students they ARE our future. We need to demonstrate love, courage, and compassion — now more than ever.

As educators, it is our job to make students feel safe in the classroom and educate them on what’s going on in the world. We must keep their spirits up in light of the election outcome.

“To the young people who got into politics for the first time and may be disappointed by the results, I just want you to know, you have to stay encouraged. Don’t get cynical, don’t ever think you can’t make a difference. As Secretary Clinton said this morning, fighting for what is right is worth it. Sometimes you lose an argument, sometimes you lose an election.

“You know, the path that this country has taken has never been a straight line. We zig and zag and sometimes we move in ways that some people think is forward and others think is moving back, and that’s OK.”

LOS ANGELES, October 20, 2016 – arc is joining the million educators, students, parents, and community leaders across the nation coming together to rally support for afterschool programs as part of the 17th annual Lights On Afterschool. These events are aimed at celebrating the achievements of afterschool students and to draw attention to the need for more afterschool programs to serve millions of children who are unsupervised and at risk each weekday afternoon.

Recent data from America After 3PM, the research series on afterschool programs commissioned by the Afterschool Alliance, shows a vast unmet demand for afterschool programs nationwide. In California, 1.66 million children participate in an afterschool program, yet 2.43 million would be enrolled if a program were available. More work needs to be done to meet the great need for programs that keep California’s kids safe, inspire them to learn, and help working families.

“The after school field is doing innovative important and impactful work but there are too few opportunities to share those ideas and successes,” said Brad Lupien, Co-President of arc. “Lights On is fabulous way to share best practices, celebrate our staff, students and schools, and show our communities the important role of our work in educating students.”

“We are very excited to join the rest of the country to shine brightly and keep the lights on!” added Frances Vasquez, arc’s Senior Director of After School. “We have several events happening throughout Southern California.”

Garfield High School: Peer discussions about making healthy lifestyle choices, including proper nutrition and health and fitness.

Kennedy High School: Campus-wide barbecue cook out, promoting the importance of after school programs to the greater student body.

Animo Western and Wheatley Charter Middle Schools: An open house with skit performances, refreshments provided by the Culinary Club, tie-dyed shirt giveaways by the DIY Design Club, and music provided by the Music Production Club.

Lights On Afterschool is organized by the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children have access to quality afterschool programs. More information on the Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool and America After 3PM is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org.

About arcarc is an award-winning, nationally recognized after school and experiential education provider based in Southern California. We create transformational learning opportunities that empower youth to realize their full potential. Our innovative after school programs are customized to each individual client, but all emphasize leadership development, life skills acquisition, team building, as well as engagement with the natural world and community through outdoor education and adventure programs.

While the debate around who to vote for as President of the United States is reaching a fever pitch, there’s more to look out for on the ballot this November. Here are 3 propositions directly affecting education in the state of California.

CA Proposition 51

The California Public School Facility Bonds Initiative

The proceeds from the $9 billion in bonds that would be issued if voters approved Proposition 51 would be stored in a 2016 State School Facilities Fund and a 2016 California Community College Capital Outlay Bond Fund. Proceeds would be allocated for the following:

$3 billion: the construction of new school facilities;

$500 million: providing school facilities for charter schools;

$3 billion: modernization of school facilities;

$500 million: providing facilities for career technical education programs; and

$2 billion: acquiring, constructing, renovating, and equipping community college facilities.

YES supports the state issuing $9 billion in bonds to fund improvement and construction of school facilities for K-12 schools and community colleges.

NO opposes the state issuing $9 billion in new debt to fund the improvement and construction of education facilities.

CA Proposition 55

California Extension of the Proposition 30 Income Tax Increase Initiative

Proposition 55 would extend the tax rates already in place, originally instituted by Proposition 30, through 2030. The tax impacts the 1.5 percent of Californians with a single income filing of at least $263,000 or a joint income filing of at least $526,000.

About 89 percent of revenue from the tax extension would go towards K-12 schools and 11 percent to state community colleges. An additional $2 billion would be allocated in certain years to Medi-Cal and other health programs.

YES supports extending the personal income tax increases on incomes over $250,000 approved in 2012 for 12 years in order to fund education and healthcare.

NO opposes extending the personal income tax increases on incomes over $250,000 approved in 2012 for 12 years, allowing the tax increase to expire in 2019.

CA Proposition 58

Proposition 58 would no longer require English-only education for English learners. Schools would be allowed to utilize multiple programs, including bilingual education. In bilingual programs, students learn from teachers who speak both their native language and English. Furthermore, parental waivers would no longer be needed to take non-English-only classes. If requested by enough parents, schools would be required to offer specific English learner programs. School districts and county offices of education would ask for annual feedback on English learner programs from parents and community members.

YES favors of repealing most of the 1998 Proposition 227, the “English in Public Schools” Initiative, thus effectively allowing non-English languages to be used in public educational instruction.

NO is against repealing most of the “English in Public Schools” Initiative, which was designed to prohibit non-English languages from being used in public schools.